estradiol patch 8 years after being on hormones

[hazyworld]

Hi I had a total hystrectomy in 1996 when i was 36,i am now 50 and havent taken hormones in about 8 years..over those years without i developed worse anxiety,depression and about 4 years ago my sex life took a turn to likenone,and i was always very into sex.Been on anxiety drugs for 20 years and lately meds for depression Im tapering off prozac but still on wellbutrin and they added addrall to give me energy which it ddint,i went to a nurse paractioner and she put me on the lowesr dose of teh estraddiol patch,i had to take it aftert 3 days as i thought it was causiing stomach and eye problems i have now had it on for 6 days,but woke up this morning with heart racing and lots of anxiety..will estradiol help my sex life give me energy and help with this anxiety and depression this nurse practioner i seen is pretty much against hormones espicially testestoren,Im going to a dr in a couple weeks that specilizes in bioidenticals...hoping she can help me..i need my sex drive and some energy back..and these ad meds dont really help my depression i feel like a zombie..........is it to late for me

[rumpled]

Just because the doctor said he checked your thyroid does not mean he checked it correctly! The range for TSH changed years ago but the labs still use the older, higher one and if he only uses TSH then the test is a waste - you need several tests (not just T4 - T3 is what the body uses and frees are actual activity so get a copy of your tests and see what was done, do not accept the word normal.

[hazyworld]

thanks for info..i am on meddicine for anxiety and depression,and the patch is generic climara i believe its the lowest dose i took it off last night i see a dr on the 16 that chedcks bllood levels ,i believe this patch was adding to my anxiety,i dont know if it will pass or not i have not seen the kind of dr u mention but i have had my thyroid chrecked millions of times over the years and its always ok

[rumpled]

I am on a patch too - I am not sure of your brand, but mine is bio-identical and just that it bypasses the liver means less side effects. The side effects are typically caused by too much or too little of the hormone. Have you consulted an endocrinologist to see how your hormones are as you may need a thyroid increase or other medication and you then may not need depression and anxiety medications.

I would read the booklet that comes with the patch or consult a pharmacist about the side effects as eye issues are not common with estrogen. Perhaps you need a smaller patch - you can trim your patch to help - I do that sometimes.

Here are the common side effects:
"    * Anxiety, back pain, breakthrough bleeding, breast tenderness, constipation, depression, flu-like symptoms, headache, high blood pressure, hot flushes, insomnia, indigestion, nausea, neck pain, sinus problems, skin redness and irritation at the site of the patch, upper respiratory tract infection, weight increase."

See your doc too and try another patch. Other formulations may help.